Speaker Martin Romualdez has instructed the House of Representatives to look for ways to increase the discounts on groceries and food supplements that are being given to senior citizens and PWDs.
Romualdez eyes bigger discounts on groceries for seniors, PWDs
Feb 6, 2024 11:12 AM
At a glance
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Here's some good news for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Speaker Martin Romualdez has instructed the House of Representatives to look for ways to increase the discounts on groceries and food supplements that are being given to senior citizens and PWDs.
"Seniors and PWDs are currently getting a far too modest discount of P65 on their weekly groceries. We need to increase this," Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, said in a statement Tuesday, Feb. 6.
He announced plans for the House of Representatives to convene a technical working group (TWG) this week in order to review the Senior Citizen’s Act and determine how much additional discounts should be provided for these vulnerable sectors.
Romualdez made these remarks amid the House Committee on Ways and Means' oversight hearings on the different commercial establishments' compliance with existing discount laws.
The Speaker noted that at present, seniors receive a five percent discount each week on groceries, capped at a total purchase value of P1,500.
This translates to a measly discount of P65 per week, an amount that according to the House chief was "no longer appropriate in the current economic climate, given the high cost of living".
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United Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Milagros Magsaysay supported the Speaker’s proposal. She claims that it is not only feasible, but can be easily implemented.
"Increasing the value of the grocery budget for seniors or PWDs to, say, P5,000 a week, would mean the mandated five percent discount would equate to P250," explained Magsaysay.
Romualdez further emphasized that the discounts should not be limited to groceries but also extended to food supplements and vitamins for the elderly and PWDs.
"Many of our seniors and PWDs need to regularly purchase supplements or vitamins to maintain their health and strengthen their resistance to diseases, so it's only fitting to include these in the discounted items as well," he said.